School Choice

POSSIBLY THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL systemic reform drive has come from the fight over school choice. Initially pushed by William Bennett and the Bush administration, school choice is most well known for its goal of allowing students and parents to choose which school to attend, and offering tuition vouchers to students who wish to enroll in private schools. But in reality, vouchers are only one small section of systemic reforms lumped under the broad title of choice. Other forms of choice include magnet schools, as exemplified in East HarlemÕs District Four. School buildings in East Harlem were subdivided into mini-schools which emphasized a variety of subjects, as well as special high discipline schools for children considered incorrigible. Parents and children must apply to magnet schools, but they retain the right to consider all possible programs.